Little Leon deserves his big chance on the international stage

Leon Osman's call up to the England squad may have come as a surprise but his place in the squad is deserved. A man whom David Moyes once described as being Everton’s heartbeat, he is a player with many gifts who has shown time and again that persistence gets its reward.

Tell us about what he can do?

Osman is not like modern midfielders. He isn’t physically imposing and doesn’t have blistering pace but he is a gifted footballer with an excellent range of passing and, crucially, he chips in with goals – he scored 46 times for his club in 314 appearances. He also embraces the ethic of teamwork. When things are tough for Everton, he tends to come to the fore.

Doing it for the Blues: Leon Osman has been a key player for Everton for a number of seasons

'He is gifted and determined,' said Everton captain Phil Neville. 'He is a team player who reads the game well and he is one of the best headers of the ball at the club, which people might not necessarily appreciate. It is fantastic new, well deserved and we are all delighted for him.'

So how why has taken so long for this call up?

He suffered a career-threatening knee injury when he was 18 and it took him a long-time to get established under Moyes – he had loan spells at Carlisle and Derby.

Osman wasn’t ready for international football when Steve McLaren managed England but towards the latter end of Fabio Capello’s reign, he was certainly doing enough to get picked.

Pass master: Osman plays a key role in Everton's midfield

‘I felt at times that he might just miss out,’ said Everton manager Moyes. ‘But I think his form – and our form – this season has helped him. He has got a goal in him as well. It just goes to show that it is never too late and he has got his rewards. He has been a great player for me and for Everton and I am really pleased for the boy and his family.’

How did he cope with being overlooked?

One of Osman’s greatest characteristics is being able to take everything in his stride and he has never let it get him down. Doing well for Everton has been his focus and any recognition that followed was seen as an added bonus

‘I’m an English player and an England fan,’ he said not so long ago. ‘Of course, I would be delighted if I ever got picked but it’s not happened and the most important thing is for me to concentrate on the job here.’

Sharp shooter: Osman is capable of scoring at important times

So how good has his form been good this season, then?

He started superbly in the win over Manchester United on the opening weekend and was outstanding in the Merseyside derby, scoring the goal that dragged Everton back into the game, and his nimble footwork has dovetailed sweetly with Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar.

Moyes once said that Osman - along with the similarly unheralded but equally important Tony Hibbert - had a job for life at Everton. If things go according to plan against Sweden next week, Osman - at the ripe old age of 31 - might now have a part-time role for his country, too.

‘His consistency over my time here has been exceptional,’ Moyes said. ‘He will take the ball and he will want to help England play. His football intelligence is as good as anyone I have ever worked with. He understands what you want him to do and he always gets on with it to the best of his ability. . It was a pleasure to tell everyone that Ossie had been called up for England.’

THE OTHER NEW BOYS

RYAN SHAWCROSS (STOKE) – Tough and no-nonsense defender, become hugely
important figure for Stoke. Still awaiting his big break after being
called into a couple of squads.

FRASER FORSTER (CELTIC) – Magnificent performance for Celtic in their
stunning victory over Barcelona had England coach Gary Neville singing
his praises on Sky on Wednesday night. Has kept 11 clean sheets in all
competitions this season.

STEVEN CAULKER (TOTTENHAM) – Has become a first choice for Andre
Villas-Boas this season and graduates to the senior ranks after some
superb displays for the Under-21s. Was magnificent in the controversial
1-0 win over Serbia in Krusevac last month.

JONJO SHELVEY (LIVERPOOL) – Well known to Hodgson after they arrived at
Liverpool at a similar time in 2010; had set his sights on being named
in this squad after winning his first cap in the victory over San Marino
as a substitute.

RAHEEM STERLING (LIVERPOOL) – Hodgson maintains the winger has been
called up for footballing reasons, rather to put him off playing for
Jamaica. Has been one of Liverpool’s top players this season, his
performances improving by the week.